Software exports to grow in double digits: NASSCOM chief

CHANDIGARH - India is expected to clock double-digit growth in the software and IT enabled services (ITeS) exports next year as the US and other markets are recovering from the meltdown, a top official of the trade association NASSCOM said here Thursday.

“We are expecting IT exports to grow in double digits as the software markets of the US and other countries are recovering well. These markets became sluggish due to the financial meltdown but now things have started improving,” NASSCOM chairman Pramod Bhasin told reporters.

He was speaking on the sidelines of ‘e-Revolution 2009′, a flagship forum of this region jointly hosted by the governments of Haryana and Punjab and the Chandigarh administration in association with NASSCOM and Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).

“In 2009-10, the Indian market has grown by merely four to seven percent and the software exports from India have been around $48 to 50 billion. Whereas in 2008-09, it increased at 16 percent and was at $46.3 billion,” said Bhasin, who is also the chief executive officer of Genpact.

Emphasising on improving skill-sets the work force, Bhasin added: “At present the IT industry can employ only eight to 10 percent of the total graduates due to their lack of required skills. There is a need for an updated curriculum and industrial training to hone the entrepreneurial skills and talent of our youngsters.”

Talking about Chandigarh, he said the city “is at par with any other tier-I city, due to its strong social infrastructure, educational facilities and safe environment. This city can become the next Singapore because it has all the requisite elements to attract potential people and to emerge as an IT hub”.

“It can also surpass cities like Pune and Bangalore in terms of industrial growth and employment opportunities,” he added.